“Where’s the damn physician?” I hear Hunter growl. “What is taking him so damn long?”
“He was guest lecturing at the university today. We didn’t think to keep him on hand until the new royal showed.” I recognize that voice as Queen Evie. “Poor child. Let’s bring her up to her room, and we can at least make her comfortable.”
I hear a growl, and I realize I’m being held by someone when their grip on my body gets tighter.
“Okay, Brodie, you can carry her, but you need to listen to Evie.” That’s the final queen, Layla. “If we take her to her room, we can get her comfortable and ready for when the palace physician gets here to check her.”
“Why is she still unconscious? What did the magic do to her?” Violet sounds distressed.
“We’re not actually sure. My experience was very different. Can anyone feel her animal inside her?” Lucas asks, and I hear the worry in his tone.
“I can’t sense anything, but her scent is stronger,” Hunter replies, sounding agitated, and Brodie growls again as I feel him move.
No one talks, but I can tell we’re moving. I try to open my eyes, but they refuse to cooperate. Same with the rest of my body. I try to figure out if I feel any different, but all I can feel are achy muscles and my throbbing head.
I hear everyone’s footsteps as we move through the palace and whispered words, but I can’t make out what they are saying. After what seems like a long walk, I hear a door open.
“Here, lay her down on the bed. I’ll remove her shoes,” Mia tells Brodie, who does as she asks, but he seems somewhat reluctant, like he doesn’t want me to leave his arms. The bed is soft, and I moan as he places me down, but I still can’t force my eyes to open or my mouth to make words. Brodie’s hand is still in mine as I feel Mia gently remove the sneakers from my feet.
“Brodie, you need to let the girl go,” King Lucas snaps, and I hear another rumbly growl, but his hand releases mine.
“We should let her rest until the physician gets here to check her over. I’m sure she’s fine and just overloaded from that influx of power. It looked like a lot,” Layla says sensibly.
“Is no one else worried about what that might mean? Why can’t we feel an animal inside her? Did something go wrong? Did the magic reject her?” Evie’s worried, and I can tell from the inhale of breath somewhere that at least one person hadn’t considered it.
“Nonsense. It’s never happened in the whole time the humans have been our rulers, and I doubt Aramis would ever allow it to occur. It’s her magic and her chosen one. I’m sure her wishes will make themselves known in time.” King Lucas sounds firm but frazzled, almost like he doesn’t believe what he is saying.
“I would like permission to stay,” I hear my friend say.
“Who are you, child?” Layla asks.
“Violet is here at Colbie’s request,” Hunter rumbles, answering the queen before Violet can. “She works with her in her bakery.”
“Good. That is good. I wish I had a friend with me when I went through this. All of mine were human. It’s good that she has someone who will help her through this. Of course you may keep her company. Send for us if she wakes before the physician arrives,” King Lucas says, approving her request.
I hear Violet clear her throat awkwardly.
“Speak up, child. We are not to be feared,” Evie chides gently.
“Colbie’s mother may be a problem.” A rush of surprise overrides the lingering pain. How does she know that?
“Malina Karridge?” I can hear the surprise in Queen Layla’s voice.
“Yes, she is a somewhat domineering woman, and she likes to make Colbie feel small, or that’s what her grandpa told me just before we left. She will try to insert herself into a role as Colbie’s advisor. Her grandparents warned us not to let her.” Trust my grandpa to look out for me like that. He knows I havetrouble saying no to her, so he made it so I didn’t have to. Thank goodness for the old man.
“She’s human, so she has no standing whatsoever. What she wants won’t matter, only what Colbie wants. Now let’s leave the poor girl in peace. Hunter and Brodie, please return to headquarters and advise Bryson that the royal has been found so he can call off the search and gather the rest of your team.” King Lucas brushes away Violet’s concern, but I have a feeling he’s going to regret it. My mother does not like to be told no.
“Of course, sir,” Hunter replies.
“Should we go to her place and pack a bag so she at least has some of her things? I’m pretty sure her grandparents would help us?” I feel a warm rush of affection for Brodie. I only hope that he doesn’t run into my mother, though they both seem proficient enough to cope with her, and if not, they can dazzle her with their good looks. She’s a sucker for a handsome man.
“Good thinking,” Queen Layla replies. “The rest of us will wait for her to wake so we can talk about what happens next.” I hear them all file out of my room, and the door closes behind them as a hand picks up one of mine.
“Come on, Colbie, we need you to wake up. Everyone is worried about you,” Violet murmurs, but instead of obeying her plea, I sink deeper.
Chapter
Twenty-One
